You will find few things in life as soothing and relaxing since the warm glow of any campfire, and himalayan salt lamp offer this same ambiance at home.

I’ve talked before about how precisely I use them to help purify indoor air as well as for their soothing red glow. We begin using these lamps so often which i figured they deserved their own post.

Salt lamps or HPS (Himalayan Pink Salt) lamps are essentially large components of pure Himalayan Salt having a small bulb inside. They are often solid items of salt (this way one) or decorative baskets loaded with large crystals of salt (such as these). They provide a great warm glow when lit and might be advantageous for indoor air quality.

Himalayan salt lamps are made from pure, food grade, Himalayan salt crystals and can even be powdered to use as salt in recipes if required. These beautiful lamps have gained massive popularity recently and there are many benefits related to them.

However are these benefits actually backed by science?

Many sources declare that salt lamps are natural negative ion generators, although there are many important points to comprehend:

At any time, there are actually both good and bad ions inside the air. Being a flashback to freshman science class:

“An ion is surely an atom or molecule wherein the total variety of electrons is not really similar to the total variety of protons, giving the atom a net positive or negative electrical charge.”

Positively charged ions are often known as cations, while negatively charged ions are anions. The positive or negative charge makes ions capable of move and bond easily.

Negative Ions by nature

Negative ions occur on a regular basis by nature and they are often created by things such as lightening storms, sunlight, waterfalls, and ocean waves. Running water is considered nature’s greatest way to obtain negative ions and might be one important thing that plays a role in the refreshing scent of waterfalls along with the beach. In reality, this is amongst the reasons people often report feeling renewed or refreshed after having a storm or at the shore.

WebMD explains a few of the benefits of negative ions inside the air:

Generally, negative ions improve the flow of oxygen towards the brain; causing higher alertness, decreased drowsiness, and much more mental energy,” says Pierce J. Howard, PhD, author from the Owners Manual for the Brain: Everyday Applications from Mind Brain Research and director of research on the Center for Applied Cognitive Sciences in Charlotte, N.C.

“They may also protect against germs in the air, causing decreased irritation because of inhaling various particles that will make you sneeze, cough, or have got a throat irritation.”

As well as for a whopping one out of three of us that are responsive to their effects, negative ions will make us feel like our company is walking on air. You happen to be one of those if you are instantly refreshed as soon as you open a window and inhale fresh, humid air.

Places like waterfalls and beaches where negative ions are naturally produced can have a negative ion concentration as much as ten thousand negative ions per cubic centimeter whereas busy cities can have negative ion levels as little as 100 ions per cubic centimeter.

Do Salt Lamps Generate Negative Ions?

Spending time naturally, especially around water, is without a doubt the simplest way to get being exposed to negative ions, but himalayan salt lamp also generate small amounts, particularly if used consistently with time.

Since positive ions are frequently developed by electronics like computers, TVs, microwaves, and even vacuum cleaners and might often exacerbate problems like allergies, stress and sleep trouble. Negative ions can neutralize positive ions (they bond together) and help cleanse the atmosphere. Additionally, salt lamps provide a soothing glow that lots of people discover relaxing.

I don’t use salt lamps strictly as a negative ion generator, but have them at home, especially near electronics. If negative ions will be the goal, by using a negative ion generator will be a much more concentrated source.

But, Salt Lamps ARE Hygroscopic

Salt, by its nature, is hygroscopic, and therefore it attracts water to its surface and also this water evaporates quickly as a result of tiny amount of heat from the source of light (this is why salt lamps usually sweat and appear wet in humid climates).

Small quantities of water vapor exists within the air and will carry such things as mold, bacteria, and allergens. Salt lamps attract this water vapor along with the things it carries to its surface and removes them from your air. This is amongst the main advantages of salt lamps, and a primary reason we certainly have them generally in most rooms in our home.

Salt lamps will not be the negative ion generation panacea they can be made out to be, but we have them in numerous rooms of the house for other reasons:

Research has revealed that different colors of light modify the body differently. My very own doctor recommends avoiding blue light after sunset since it can hinder circadian rhythm and disrupt sleep hormones.

Unfortunately, many modern light sources like mobile phones, tablets, computers and TVs emit a great deal of blue light and a lot of us spend a lot of time looking at these, especially at nighttime.

Salt lamps, however, give you a warm orange glow, just like the hues present in a campfire or by candlelight. For that reason, they are a great light source for the evening and could even be used as a night light without negatively affecting sleep.

I often wear orange sunglasses at nighttime if I’ll be on your computer or watching a film to prevent blue light therefore we use mostly salt lamps along with other low and orange lights after dark.

Salt lamps will not be a spectacular source of negative ions. However, because of their hygroscopic properties, they can increase the air in other methods. Besides offering a soothing glow, they can attract pollutants in the air and even help neutralize the consequences of electronics.

These soothing lamps may also help boost mood as well as levels, specifically for people that have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The soft orange hues are among the soothing colors often utilized to calm mood and increase focus. The small amounts of negative ions may also be helpful in boosting mood also.

My brother in law has struggled with asthma and allergies for much of his life and then he found respite from by using a Himalayan salt inhaler. Others notice a change from having salt lamps within their homes or offices.

How to find a Good Quality Salt Lamp

It is possible to buy machines that produce negative ions, but I’ve found that salt lamps are a more affordable alternative and give other benefits at the same time.

We now have salt lamps in the majority of rooms in our home and appreciate them in the wintertime months if it isn’t possible to get the windows open or even to spend the maximum amount of time outside. We currently use a solid salt lamp or possibly a basket lamp in several room of our home and i also love them for his or her ambient glow and orange color.

Salt lamps are less expensive than many other types of lamps, and a top quality one can last for decades.

If you are considering adding a salt lamp to your residence, choose ones by using these features for optimum quality:

Orange Color- Darker colored lamps are typically considered higher quality. Lamps should specify they are 100% Himalayan salt, as cheap imitations could use lower quality salt.

Size- The bigger the salt lamp, the larger the affect. Smaller lamps weight 5-6 pounds while larger ones can weigh up to 50. An effective general rule is 1 pound of salt will filter approximately a 4×4 section of an area. Smaller lamps are generally much less expensive, and then we keep 1-2 in smaller rooms and two-3 in larger rooms in our home.

Rough Surface- The outer lining part of a salt lamp determines its hygroscopic potential. Rougher lamps possess a higher surface than smooth and decorative himalayan salt lamps and they are far better at improving air quality. In my opinion, in addition they look better and are a fantastic decoration for the majority of rooms.

Bulb- The hygroscopic benefits are due to the salt as well as heat together so it is very important utilize a heat-producing bulb. LED bulbs don’t make this happen. I use these inexpensive bulbs.

Salt lamps aren’t a panacea and they also don’t use the host to an aura filter. They don’t create large amounts of negative ions like you’ll discover in nature, especially around water. If negative ions would be the goal, getting a hike or a swim in nature is a more efficient way to get them.

Salt lamps are a beautiful light source which may offer some great benefits of color therapy, by washing the air hygroscopically and also in alleviating allergies. They are an economical no-blue light source to make use of at night and as a sleep-friendly night light for the kids.

At the conclusion of the morning, they aren’t planning to fix any health problems on their own or drastically improve indoor quality of air. They can be, however, a beautiful and eco-friendly source of light that creates a healthy spectrum of light. If you are choosing lamps for your own home, they are an excellent choice to consider.